Tariffs, Taxes, and Terror

Many Americans are stressed hearing about the impact of tariffs on the cost of living. The underlying anxious thought is not measuring up or being able to handle the changes, with a feeling of being inadequate.

Similarly, most people are not getting increases in income to cover the increases in taxes. Those on fixed income are especially worried about being able to make ends meet.

Terrorism in 2020 made me cancel plans to lead a group to the Holy Land, which is only one of hundreds of plans cancelled due to the threats of terrorist attacks, even here in the US.

Anxiety is not the problem. Tariffs, taxes, and terror are the problems. Anxiety is like a smoke detector on your ceiling. When the alarm sounds, the detector is not the problem, the fire is the problem. The detector warns you that something is wrong, and you need to solve the problem.

Anxiety is our friend, a friend who warns us to get prepared for what is about to happen. With a smoke detector, if its alarm sounds because the battery is failing, you change the battery. You don’t call 9-1-1. If you are anxious about tariffs, taxes, and terror, your anxiety is no help. You cannot call for emergency services for anxious thoughts and feelings.

What you can do is debate irrational thoughts with rational ones. For example, if you are worried about tariffs getting imposed and reversed, the anxious feelings are not warnings to get prepared. They may be motivators to call your politicians or save more money to be ready, otherwise they do not serve you.

I like the Serenity Prayer for coping with anxious thoughts about tariffs, taxes, and terror:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next. Amen.
So, this behavior (to pray) gives you something to do toward serenity and peace of mind.

For more help with anxiety, there are tools in Anxiety Quest, available in paperback, Kindle, audio, and workbook. https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Quest-Adventures-Turning-Confidence-ebook/dp/B0B5WFG5K4

Like & Share with others who seek to be free from anxieties.